Here's what's making news today in tech — picked from the 10 sources I trust, translated for normal humans.
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Ray-Ban Meta Audio Review: The Best Smart Glasses
Meta now sells Ray-Ban glasses that play music, answer questions, and take calls through a built-in speaker, with no camera included. Leaving out the camera makes them simpler and less controversial to wear in public. For Portage County: If you want hands-free audio without fussing with earbuds, these glasses are worth a look at your local electronics store.
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CISA Flags Two Actively Exploited Critical Flaws in Collabora Online and Arista VeloCloud
Two serious security flaws are being actively used by hackers right now, targeting business software called Collabora Online and Arista VeloCloud. The U.S. government's cybersecurity agency flagged both as critical and urged organizations to patch them immediately. For Portage County: These flaws target business and government networks, not home computers, but remind you to keep all your devices updated so you are not an easy target.
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Stop wasting time on manual Windows chores when PowerToys can do them
Windows has a free set of tools called PowerToys that can handle six repetitive tasks for you automatically, including organizing windows, pulling text from images, and renaming batches of files. You download it once from Microsoft and it runs quietly in the background. For Portage County: Ask Bill to install PowerToys on your Windows PC if you find yourself doing the same clicks over and over.
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Apple Closes French Stores Ahead of Further Protests
Apple temporarily closed seven of its French stores ahead of planned protests, after looters damaged two locations the previous week. The closures are meant to protect employees and property, not a sign of any problem with Apple products or service. For Portage County: No impact on your Apple devices or local support, just a reminder that big companies sometimes make cautious calls during unrest.
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Using an Apple Pencil With the iPhone Duo: What to Know
Apple's new iPhone Duo works with an Apple Pencil, but only the USB-C version, which costs $79 from Apple or $69 on Amazon. If you already own an older Apple Pencil for your iPad, it will not work with this phone. For Portage County: Before buying an Apple Pencil for the iPhone Duo, double-check the model you own, or call Bill to avoid a wasted purchase.
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Apple Pushes Back on DOJ Request for More Evidence
Apple and the Justice Department are disagreeing in court over how many company records Apple must hand over in an ongoing antitrust case. Apple says handing over newer documents would delay the case by months, while government lawyers say the newer records are needed. For Portage County: This legal fight is about whether Apple plays fair with competitors, and its outcome could eventually affect iPhone prices and app choices.
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Apple exploring fix for Safari’s cramped layout on the iPhone Duo’s outer display
Apple is working on a fix so that websites display better on the small outer screen of the new iPhone Duo, which currently shows a cramped version of Safari. The update would let websites recognize the outer screen and adjust their layout automatically. For Portage County: If you or a family member has an iPhone Duo and finds the outside screen hard to read in a browser, a software update should improve that soon.
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Apple’s official DIY repair guides for the iPhone Duo now available
Apple published step-by-step repair guides for the new iPhone Duo so that owners and independent repair shops can replace parts themselves. This is part of Apple's push to make its phones easier to fix without going to an Apple Store. For Portage County: If your iPhone Duo ever needs a screen or battery repair, an independent local shop may be able to handle it using Apple's official instructions, which could save you a trip.
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Google gives itself permission to use data from Gmail and Google Photos for ads
Google updated its privacy policy to allow itself to use content from your Gmail and Google Photos to help target ads through a feature called Personal Intelligence. This is turned on by default, so you have to go into your Google account settings and turn it off if you want to opt out. For Portage County: Log into your Google account, go to Data and Privacy settings, and look for Personal Intelligence to turn it off if you do not want Google reading your emails and photos for ads.
This digest is auto-generated daily at 6 AM ET from leading tech news sources.
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— Bill's Home Tech, Atwater, OH